Finger-exercising device



C. T. MARSH FINGER EXERCISING DEVICE mm a w e Mw%m r A m A wfi.

7 Filed March 26, 1928 Patented Nov. 26, 1929 CHARLES T. MARSH, OF VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA FINGER-EXERCISING DEVICE Application filed March 26, 1928.

a firmer touch is developed and the definiteness and precision of the art much improved.

The invention consists essentially of a plurality of rings made of suitable metal and adapted in size to be applied to the thumbs and fingers of the hand, each ring when in place being secured in a position adjacent the finger tip. Each of these rings is formed as an attachment for one end of an elastic member, the other end of which is attached to a hook fixed in position upon a wrist strap which is secured around the wrist. The aforesaid elastic bands are made of such length that when in position there is a definite tension developed, requiring the exercise of a muscular effort in the thumbs, fingers and hand in order to assume the playing position over the piano keys and to strike the said keys with the usual force.

By using this device when practicing the instrument it is obvious that a development of the muscles of the thumb, fingers and hand is attained, thus strengthening the touch, GK- tending the range of force control and improving the execution.

The details of my invention are more fully described in the following specification, reference being made to the. drawings which accompany and form part of it, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a view of the wrist band showing the hook attachments for the elastic members.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of same.

Fig. 3 is an end view of same.

Fig. 4 is a view of an elastic supporting member designed to hold the wristband in position.

Fig. 5 is a side view of one ring with the elastic member attached thereto.

Fig. 6 is an end view of same.

Fig. 7 is an end view of the split ring which fits the thumb of the hand.

Fig. 8, a view of same opened out in order to place in correct position on the thumb.

Fig. 9 is a View of the device attached to the hand of a piano player, and shows all the parts in their relative operating positions.

Serial No. 264,937.

In these views 10 indicates the wrist band constructed of leather or other strong flexible fabric suitably lined with soft material 11 and secured in position on the wrist by means of the buckle 12 and strap 13.

Attached to the outside of the said wrist band is a metal plate 14 on which a plurality of hooks 15 is securedf These hooks are arranged in rows so that by selection of a suitable row for attachment of the elastic mem-" ber the tension of the latter may be varied.

A larger hook 16 secured approximately in the centre of one edge of the metal plate 1 1, is adapted to engage the end eye 17 of a strong elastic member 18 .which is long enough to" reach from the wrist hook 16 passing twice around the upper portion of the players arm as indicated at 19, and the other end of which is attached to the same hook '16 by means of the chain attachment 20, by which an adj ustment of the tension can be secured by placing any selected link of the chain 20 over the hook 16, as indicated in Fig. 9. The function of this elastic member 18 is to balance the tension of the finger bands 21 and prevent the wrist band 10 from being pulled in the direction of the fingers and constricting the movement of the wrist.

A plurality of rings 22 of varying size is provided for the purpose of engaging the fingers of the hands, each ring having loops 23 and 24 secured thereto in suitable position for engaging an elastic member 21 which is passed through the loops 23 and 24, the ends being brought together and secured in the eye 25.

The ring 22 being placed upon the proper finger, the end 25 of the elastic member 21 is then stretched up over the back of the hand and hooked over one of the hooks 15 on the wrist band plate 14. The rings 22 are made just large enough to pass easily over the first knuckle joint of the finger for which they are intended but not to pass over the second joint. They thus rest in the position on the hand indicated in Fig. 9.

A special ring 26 is provided for similar use on each thumb but in order to get it into correct position adjacent the joint of the thumb it is hinged and split as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, and provided with a suitable snap or fastening 27. Side loops 28 for the attachment of the elastic member 29 are also provided. The elastic member leading from this thumb ring passes across the palm of the hand and is hooked into one of the side hooks 28 on the metal plate 14.

The performer being supplied with two wrist bands 10, a set of rings 22 and 26 of proper size to fit the fingers and with elastic members 21 attached, and also with two elastic members 18 arranges them upon the hand and arms as shown in Fig. 9, and can then proceed to play upon the piano, the movements of the fingers being restrained by the action of the elastic members 21 and thus necessitating a definite increase of muscular efifort which has the strengthening and tonic effect upon the muscles for, which the apparatus is designed.

Having now particularly described my inven-tion, whatI claim anddesir'e to be protected inby Letters Patent,f is:

1. A finger exercising device for pianists and others comprising, an adjustable .wrist band, a metal .plateon the exterior of said band, said plate being provided with four rows of hooks at spaced apart intervals and arranged in lines transversely of the said 1 band, said plate having secured to it two other hooks oppositely curved, rings adapted to fit thethumb and finger tips adjacent their first joint, each; ring being provided with guide loops .on its outer periphery, resilient cords threaded through saidloops and having their other extremities adapted to' quickly engage the hooks on the plate of the said wrist band, a stronger adjustable resilient cord member adapted to encircle the portion of the arm above the elbow and teen gage the corresponding hook on' said wrist band plate.

2. A finger exercising device for pianists and others comprising, an adjustable wrist band having on its outer surface hooks corresponding to the fingers and thumb of one hand, a larger hook for anchoring purposes, a resilient cord adapted for looping around the upper portion of the users arm and in securable and adjustable connection with said larger hook a hingably opening metal ring approximately fitting each finger and thumb adjacent its tip, each said ring being provided with a plurality of metal loops whereby the strain of the resilient connection upon the finger tip is maintained in equal value, resilient cords threaded through said loops and each having both extremities. adapted to en gage theihooks on said wrist band whereby the fingers are heldby equal tension and objectionable side strain upon them is eliminated. V

In witness whereof I aflix niyvsignature.

CHARLES T. MARSH. 

